Zeiss "classics" 8x30, bought in 1982. I've used these for hunting, touring, horse races, and ball games. I've never felt outclassed or envious when comparing binoculars with friends and hunting companions.

Buy quality, and you only have to buy once. The latest FL's are even better.

I have used the Zeiss Conquest 8x30, Leica Trinovid 8x32 and the Bushnell Legend 8x32 in hunting situations. I have not really found the 32 mm size to be inferior to the 42 mm for about 95% of hunting situations. The only two areas where the larger glass outperforms the smaller is in extreme lowlight conditions and when glassing farther distances. I tend to agree with the above poster that the 8x32 size is an excellent blend of compactness and optical performance.

Well, just so that it doesn't seem like a runaway win for the smaller glass let me interject that I don't care for the 30+mm class of binoculars. Primarily, this is due to two issues:

1. They are not enough smaller (in either size or weight) than the 40+mm glasses to allow for any more-convenient carry options. In other words, you probably won't be slipping these into your pants pocket anytime soon. (This being one of the great appeals of the truly compact {20+mm} binoculars.) For example:

Swarovski EL _x32 = 5.4 inches tall and weighs 21.9 oz

Zeiss FL _x32 = 4.6 inches tall and weighs 19.75 oz

Leica Ultravid _x32 = 4.7 inches tall and weighs 19.1 oz.

Leica Trinovid _x32 = 4.4 inches tall and weighs 22 oz.

In contrast, a _x43mm Bushnell Elite is 5.5 inches tall and weighs 23 oz. and that 43mm OL gives it just over 80% more objective lens area (and thus more light - no matter what you read in advertising copy) than the smaller binoculars. Just for fun, here are some other full-size binoculars to compare:

Kahles _x42 = 5.6 inches tall and weighs 26 oz.

Pentax DCF SP _x43 = 5.7 inches tall and weighs 24.3 oz.

Leupold Pinnacle _x42 = 5.5 inches tall and weighs 23 - 25 oz.

Buying quality over size as was already mentioned, is absolutely a true principle by which to live. But, buying quality AND objective lens size, especially when you aren't really sacrificing/compromising the overall binocular size can be (read "is") definately better.

2. The 30+mm glasses often suffer from shorter eye relief making it difficult for eyeglass wearers (like me) to get the full FOV. This is particularly true of the 10x models that I prefer (though I realize you were originally asking about 8x models.)

The 30+mm class of binocular can do a heck of a lot of things, probably most things although, the same can be (and has been) said about the 20+mm class of optics. However, for a dedicated hunting binocular, I will choose a full size model.

Good points lucznik as always. I cannot argue with any of them and tend to agree with you. As I posted I have used 32 mm glasses for hunting and have found them to be entirely adequate for me. However, I have also used a variety of 8x42 mm models including the Monarch, Legend, Meopta, Minox (7x42), Zeiss FL (7x42) and Nikon LX. I do prefer the larger glass as well because I feel like I have every situation covered. The 32 mm glasses do not give me that feeling plus, as you indicated, they are a little bit more critical to use because of a variety of issues not limited to eye relief, exit pupil, etc... Still, I can see why some folks would definitely prefer the smaller glass.

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